Recording system and apparatus



R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-21.1w].

Patented July 8, 1919,

9 SHEETS-SHEET l.

IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYI R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 27. new.

Patented July 8, 1919.

9 SHEE|S--SHEET 2.

INVENTOR 4392 M. my;

R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDlNG SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED 1AN.2?| I917.

Patented July 8, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 3 INVEN TOR. flaw 14.1%.

ATTORNEY 'R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLlCATlON LED JAN- 21;917. 1,308,772. Patented July 8, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLlCATlON FILED JAN. 27. 19W.

Patented- July 8, 1919.

9 SHEETSSHEET 5.

INVENTOR. W @u/W AM.M

I ATTORNEY.

R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27. 1917,

Patented July 8, 1919.

9 SHEETSSHEET 6.

INVENTOR.

R M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27 I917.

m,. m m 0mm N M Vvw W 0 T mm I. .H m m9 E E m a 7 R. M, HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.27.19!7.

1,308,772. Patented July 8, 1919.

9 SHEETSSHEET 8.

INVENTOR. .W \JW w r x" W A TTORNEY,

R. M. HOPKINS;

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27. 191

Patented July 8, 1919.

9 SHEETSSHEET 9- ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT carton.

RICHARD M. HOPKINS. OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH COMPANY. OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

Application filed January 27, 1917. Serial No. 144,952.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l. llicimnn M. l'lormxs. a citizen of the United States of America. and a resident of New-York. county of New York. and State of New York. have invented a certain new and useful Recording System and Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to systems and apparatus for recording the signals of watchmens signal boxes and the like. Heretofore it has been common to record the signals of a plurality of watchmens signal boxes on a.

single circuit. without distinguishing. other than by the box number. between locations from which the signals come. In many cases it happens that the signal boxes of several subscribers or premises or buildings are located in the same circuit. and it is desirable to make the records for the different subscribers, or premises, or buildings. on different portions of a record sheet. or on different record sheets or dials. For example. it is desirable to be able to send. periodically. to each subscriber. the records of signals received from the boxes in his own premises, without, of course. sending to him the records from the boxes in the same circuit which are in the premises of other subscribers. In any case. it is obviously desirable to record the signals from the boxes of any one subscriber or premises. separately from the signals from the boxes of other subscribers or premises. The present invention comprises means whereby this may be done; 1'. 0.. a record of the signals from any one group of signal boxes of a circuit may be made which shall be entirely separate from the records of other groups of boxes of the same circuit. My invention consists in means whereby such separate groups of records may be made automatically; in means whereby derangement may not be caused because some signal boxes operate rapidly and others slowly; and in other features more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Hereinafter, for convenience in description, it will be considered that. each group of signal boxes pertains to a separate subscriber, and, corres 'mndingly, that each signal-recording magnet andits corresponding punching or other marking mechanism,

any particular installation or installations.

However. for convenient classification and recording of signals, it is desirable that the boxes of a circuit be divided into groups. and for the purpose of description it is convenient to consider that each group of boxes pertains to the premises of a. single subscriber; and in actual practice this will usually be the case. p

The objects of my invention are to dist-inguish. in the recording of signals transmitted through a circuit, between the signals of the boxes of different subscribers. and to group the records of signals, from the boxes of each subscriber separately from the records of signals from the boxes of other subscribers, while employing a single line circuit only from the boxes of all of the said subscribers; to avoid derangement or disturbance or false signaling or false recording of signals due to different boxes having different speeds of operation; to avoid derangement due to clashing of signals. and. in general. to provide simple and reliable apparatus and circuits for the accomplishment of the above objects.

I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings. apparatus and circuits constituting one embodiment of my invention. and will then point out the novel features in clain'is. In

such as are illustrated (liagrammatieally in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the recorder illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

llll) Fig. 3 shows a rear vertical elevation of the said recorder. with the record carrying drum 51 removed.

Fig. 4: shows a side elevation of the recorder looking from the right of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary perspective elevation of the punch carriage, its supports. two of the punch-operating magnets, and the punch-carriage feed and return mechanisms.

Fig. 6 shows a fragmentary perspective elevation and partial section of one of the punches, certain associated parts being also shown.

Fig. 7 shows a side elevation of the recorder looking from the left of Fig.

Fig. 8 shows a fragmentary face view of a portion of one of the record sheets.

Fig. 9 shows a fragmentary perspective elevation of one of the delinquency-signal contact devices.

Fig. 10 shows a fragmentary side elevation of one of those delinquency-signal contact devices.

Fig. 11 is a detail side view of a portion of the delinquency signal device whereby delinquency signals may be given for a plurality of groups of signal boxes as if those groups together formed one group only.

Fig. 1-2 a central longitudinal section ol 2. slow-acting relay such as may he used in my system. as hereinafter described.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the master selector and the primary selector. combined to form one mechanism.

Fig. it is a central longitudinal section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 13. with the central portion of the n'iechanism broken away.

Fig. 1%- is a detail perspective fragn'ientary elevation of the release magnet. polepiece and armature of the primary selector.

Fig. 15 is a top view of the selector mechanism shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic figure similar to Fig. 1. but showing an alternative ari'angelnent of circuits and apparatus.

Referring first to Fig. 1: designates a signal box circuit comprising six groups of signal boxes B. the number of boxes in each group being variable. Each such box may he understood to comprise a signal-trans mitting mechanism of the familiar toothed wheel and pen type. as shown. for example. in Fig. 1 which mechanism. when operated, will break and complete the circuit .i according to some prearranged signal. distinctive of the particular box to which the transmitting mechanism operated belongs. Such signal may be considered to be a box number. each number to consist ol two digits; one digit. preferably the initial digit. of the signals of the boxes of any one sub scriher. 0.. the initial digit of all of the boxes of any one group. will be the same. In other words. the signals of all of the boxes of one group will begin with the digit 2; the signals of all of the boxes of another group will hegin with the digit 3": and so on. It should be explained. further. that the term digit" is employed herein in a special sense. In the ordinary sense the term digit includes any of the numerals from one to nine. inclusive. The break wheels of the signal boxes comprise teeth. with intervening notches. arranged in two groups separated by spaces: and the number of teeth in any one of these groups may exceed 9; yet it is convenient to speak of the numeral represented by the teeth of any one such group as a digit. and no departure from principle is involved in so doing.

(I designates a battery or other source otv current supply. in circuit and l) designates a main line relay. in said circuit It. which repeats the signals of boxes I) in the local or central station circuits. as hereinafter described. The elements of the digits of the box signal are repeated by said relay ll into the actuating magnet r/ of a primary selector G as follows: i

From supply conductor 1*; through couductor l. the ratchet magnet 1/ of selector (l (hereinafter described) conductor 3. the first contact point and contact arm o of a master selector F and conductor l. contacts 5 and (i (normally closed, and the function of which will be explained hcrca t'tcrl. to the armature and rear contact stop ol main line rela l and thence through conductor l. and common. return conductor 7. to the other supply conductor Y. Selectors F and (t are step-by-step selectors of a geiwrallv well ltnown type. and it will be obvious that the impulses of the first digit of anv one of sinnal boxes ll which may be operated. as such impulses are transmitted through magnet (r, of selector G. will cause the contact arm I) of that selector to travel sluwcssivcly over the contact points of the selector until. at the end of the first digit of the box number. that contact arm 7) will have. come to rest on a particular contact point of the selector. thereby forming a ircuit tin-oi gh one of the wires il itl l adiug from the contact points oi said selector l to one of the punch-operating magnets li -ll.) t the function of which punch-magnets will he explained hereinafter).

F designates a slow acting relay. the magnet of which is connected by conductor is to supply conductor K. and is connected by conductor 9 to the armature of line relav I). it will be obvious that each time the armature of rely ll is retracted. circuit is completed through the magnet of rclav l). and through conductor i". llowever. this rclav l) is so slow in action that while its armature c ll l loo

llll

lit)

is moved away from the corresponding rear contact stop during the first closure of the contact of relay D in the transmission of a \digit, it does not again contact with its rear stop during the spaces between closures by relay I) during the transmission of that digit. The longer spaces between the digits of the box signals do, however, cause the armature of relay E to close contact with its rear contact stop, thereby closing a circuit from conductor X through conductor 10, the ratchet magnet u of master selector F and conductor 11, the rear contact stop of relay E. armature and thence through conductor 7 to supply conductor Y. Closing this cir euit 10-11 causes the contact arm Z) of selector F to move to the second contact point of selector F, thereby cutting out of circuit the ratchet magnet a of selector G and cutting into circuit 1123--t-7. the ratchet magnet (1- of a third selector, H. As explained hereinafter, this third selector. H, does not have contact points as do the previous selectors F and G, but instead comprises ratchet mechanism whereby. by the impulses of the second digit of the box signal repeated by relay D through magnet 11. of this third selector H, the punches of the recording mechanism are spaced along to a position determined by the numerical value of the second digit of the box number.

The armature of relay E is attracted during the transmission of the impulses of the second digit of thebox number: but during the space following the second digit, the armature of relay E is again released. thereby operating magnet (L of master selector F and moving the contact arm 7) of that selector to the third contact point of the selector. The instant ratchet magnet a of master selector F has been so energized, and has moved arm 7) of master selector F into contact with the third contact point of that selector. -a circuit is completed from supply conductor X through conductor 8. magnet E, conductors J and 3, contact arm 7) of selector F, the third contact of that selector. the release magnet 72; of selector (i. the contact arm 7/ of that selector, the contact pointof that selector on which such arm 7) is then resting. the selected punch magnet of series LQ. (thereby causing action of the corre sponding punching mechanism, as hereinafter described) and the return conductor to which those. magnets are connected. to supply conductor Y: the armature c of relay E being thereby attriu-tcd. the circuit of magnet (1 of the master selector F is broken: and as the release magnets in of selectors F and ll have been energized by closure of their circuit through the third contact point of selector F. (the circuit by which magnet /11 of selector (1 is energized has just been traced. and magnet m of selector F is in a branch of that circuit. departing therefrom at point 01 and thence leading through magnets on of selectors F and H to return conductor Y), the arms 00f selectors F and G, and the punch-carrying carriage (hercinafter mentioned) of selector H will all return. As hereinafter described. the release of arm 7) of selector G occurs upon the breaking of the circuit of its magnet m by the return to normal of arm 7) of select-or F, following energization of magnets m of selectors F and G. The arms I) of selectors F and G when permitted to return, move to a point somewhat beyond or in rear of the first contact points of those selectors. -The magnet a of selector F being in a circuit which is normally closed,'and that magnet a being energized immediately upon the return of the arm (1 to normal, in'nnediately moves such arm 7) to the first contact point of selector F and holds it there until. the circuit magnet (1 being broken and subsequently completed. the ratchet pawl, hereinafter referred to. operated by such magnet (1, retreats. engages another tooth of the ratchet operating-mechanism of that arm 7), and moves such arm F1 to the second point of the selector.

agnet (1 of selector G is in a. normally open circuit, and therefore that arm 6, when returned. remains in rear of the first contact point of select-or (it. until through the receipt of the first digit of the signal of a box.

are strlwturally combined with the recorder proper so designates a suitable frame upon which is mounted revolubly a drum 51 adapted to carry a suitable record sheet shown in part in Fig. 8. and there designated by numeral 52. This sheet is suitably divided. bv ruled lines. horizontally. for time intervals. and vertically. for spaces corresponding to box numbers. 53 designates a gear wheel. mounted upon the. shaft 54 of the drum 51; and 55 (Fig. 7) designates a magnet-operated ratchet mechanisn'r by which gear wheel and so drum :31. is rotated through counter shaft 55 and pinion 55. The magnet of this ratchetmechanism is energized at suitable. intervals by a time movement B (Fig. 1). and relay S; and therefore the horizontal rulings on record sheet 52 correspond tov time intervals.

L. M. N. O. P and Q designate.punchoperating magnets. each corresponding to one of the groups of signal-boxes B of Fig. 1. and each, therefore, corresponding to a particular subscriber. as explained above. L. M. etc., designate the armatures of these magnets. and L, M, etc.. the corresponding punches, operated by these magnets and armatures. The punches are all mounted upon a sliding bar 56, adapted to be moved step-by-step from left to right (as viewed from the front of the machine) by ratchet mechanism comprising a magnet 57 (Fig. which is the same as magnet a. of selector ll of Fig. 1). the mechanism by which these punches are shifted constituting the selector H of Fig. 1 a swinging armature 58 therefor, having a projecting arm 59, and a spring-actuattal pawl 60 adapted to engage teeth til formed on said bar 56. A pin co" raises pawl 00 clear of the teeth 61, each time the armature of magnet .37 is retracted, and a pin (30" holds pawl ()0 in engagement with a tooth (31, each time the armature of magnet 57 is attracted. and also prevents overtln'ow. A spring (32 tends to pull said bar to the right (as seen in Fig. 5) and will restore the bar from any position to which it may have been adjusted by the ratchet mechanisu'i, when permitted to do so. 63 designates a holding pawl for the bar 56, and (H a magnet (which is the same as magnet in of selector ll of Fig. 1) which, when energized. will lift said pawl (33 thereby permitting spring (3; to restore 1mnch-carryiug bar 56. The armatures L, M, etc., have spring-actuated rods L. M, etc., carrying hammers L. )1". etc.. which are broad. and each will engage and operate its corresponding punch in any position to which that punch may have been adjusted by the action of the ratchet magnet 57 and pawl (50 On bar 513. The drum 51 has grooves 65 opposite. the various punchingmsitious, so that the punch points, after passing through the record sheet. do not touch the surface of the drum and so are not blunted.

It will be noted that each punch has its own return sprin which is independent of the return springof the corresponding armature and hammer of the corresponding punchmagnet and that each punch is entirely disonnected from the corresponding armature and hammer. This is a decided advantage for various reasons: it not only facilitates relative motion between the punch and its corresponding hammer, but facilitates quick return both of the hammer and of the corresponding punch: and it is also particularly convenient in assembling and disassembling.

Since some subscribers will have a greater number of boxes than will other subscribers, space on the. drum may be saved by allotting a less number of grooves (35 on the drum to one magnet of series L, M. etc., than to others: and l have shown the drum as provided with groo\'egroups of progressively increasing number from right to left.

Indication of deZ'2'nguen0ics.-Each watchman is supposed to operate his signal boxes at specified times, but a slight leeway is provided. If no signal comes from any particular group of signal boxes at the time allotted for the beginning of signals for that group, plus the lee 'ay interval allowed, or from some other box of the group during the leeway or grace interval allowed after the sending of a signal from another box of the group. a delinquency is said to have occurred, and it is desired to give a signal for each such delinquency. To this end, a shaft (36 is provided, which shaft is driven at a suitable speed ratio from shaft by a suitable sprocket-chain 67 and suitable sprocket gears 68 and 69 on shaft 55 and 66; and this shaft carries suitable contactopcrating arms L M" etc., one group of arms for each subscriber.

On shaft (36 and near each group of contact-operating arms 1/, M't'. etc., is a ratchet wheel 70 which rotates with shaft 66. Adjacent each such ratchet. wheel 70 is an arm 71 having a spring pawl 72 normally engaging ratchet wheel 70 and holding arm 71 up. except that as shaft (Hi rotates anti-clockwise (as viewed from the right of Fig. 9) this arm 71 may fall. There is a connection 73 from each arm 71 to the armature L. M, etc.. of the correspmuling punch magnet L. M, and each time such magnet is energized by a watchmairs signal. the arm T1 is pulled back. In other words whenever the watchman operates one of his signal boxes. as each box so operated starts to send in its signal, the corresponding arm 71 will be pulled back. each time the corresponding magnet L, M. etc.. is energized. After each impulse of the box signal. and corresponding energization of the magnet L, M. etc., the arm 71 will drop as shaft (36 rotates. but will be returned upon the next energization of such magnet. Each arm T1 is provided with a projecting arm 77 which. normally, rest-s against a hook T8 of a contact spring to. itself adapted to close contact with a corresponding spring 75. The. hook 78 limits the downward motion of the arm T1. and at the same time separates spring Tl; from spring 75. Each time an arm 71 is raised by energization of the corresponding magnet. L. M. etc., the correspondingsprings T5 and T6 come together.

Suppose now that it is time for a watchsince that circuit must be completed through arm 77 as well as through'springs and 76. But suppose that the watchman does not operate the first signal box, or any other signal box of the. group, within the grace period. In such event, arm 77. will remain in contact with spring 7 6; and at the end of the grace period, following the time when the watchman should have begun his round, one. of the arms L" will contact with spring75 forcing that spring into contact with spring 76, and so closing circuit through delinquency signal devices 79; for arm 77 is then in contact with the hook 7 8 of spring 76. A delinquency signal will then be given.

. If, after any of the boxes of one group has been operated, another box of that group is not operated within the grace period, a 'delinquency signal will be given Without the action of any of the arms L for in such case springs 75 and 76 will already be in contact, and the delinquency circuit is closed as soon as, at the end of agrace period, arm 77 touches spring 76.

It will be seen that the grace period begins anew after each box is operated.

Usually such number of arms L M etc., are provided that contact will be closed between springs 75 and 76, each hour, at the expiration of the watchmans grace period, holding such contact closed for about two minutes. But of course the intervals between closures of contacts 75 and 76 by arms L M etc., may be made shorter or longer, and also the period during which contacts 7 5 and 76 are held together by arms L M etc, may be varied, as desired. It is not desired to give a delinquency signal if one or two boxes be omitted altogether, by the watchman; the record sheet will show that. What is desired is, to give a delinquency signal if the watchman fails to start his round at the proper time, or within the grace period thereafter, or stops between boxes for longer than the grace period.

The delinquency signal device above described will give a signal at the expiration of the grace period following the completion of an entire round of a group of boxes; such signal is not a true delinquency signal,

but is rather an announcement to the central oflice attendant of the completion of the entire round; it being the intention that upon the receipt of such signal the central station attendant shall then inspect the record on the sheet to see that all the signal boxes have'been operated, and to see in what order they have been operated.

In some cases it isdesired to interconnect the delinquency signal devices for two or more groups of signal boxes, as if such groups together constituted one group only, so that a delinquency signal will be given only if a delinquency occurs before or during the sending of signals from such combined group. Such an occasion arises, for example, when the same watchman has in charge two or more groups of signal boxes. In Figs. 2 and 11 I have shown means for 70 so interconnecting the delinquency signal devices corresponding to magnets O, P and Q.

The shaft 66 is surrounded by a sleeve 66" to which the rods 73 corresponding to magnets O, P and Q are connected; and to this sleeve 66 is secured an arm 71 (there being but one arm 71 for all three magnets O, P and Q). Adjacent to sleeve 66 is a ratchet wheel 70, secured to shaft 66, there being but one ratchet wheel 70 for the three magnets O, P and Q. Also adjacent to sleeve 66 there is a set of arms 0", there being but one set of such arms for all three magnets O, P and Q. In this case, the arm 7 T is secured to sleeve 66.

As will be evident, energization of any one of the magnets O, P and Q, draws back the arms 71 and 77 of sleeve 66*. As will also be apparent, the operation of the device comprising the sleeve 66 is precisely the same as that of the delinquency signal device of magnet L, already described; except that since the armatures of all the magnets O, Pand Q are connected to the sleeve 66, the energization of any one of those mag 95 nets during the time when the signal boxes of the three combined groups should be operated, will raise arms 71 and 77 connected to said sleeve 66", so preventing the, sending of a delinquency signal.

Selectors.The selectors F and G oft-he recorder are similar in construction, and are grouped in a case 80 (Fig. 3). Each of these selectors comprises a row of contact points, a contact-arm 1) adapted to travel over these points successively and to makecontact therewith, a ratchet wheel 81 connected to such armrb to move the same, a ratchet magnet a, an armature 82 therefor, a spring-returned ratchet-pawl 83 operated by said armature 82, and engaging the teeth of ratchet wheel 81 to rotate said wheel, a holding pawl. 84, and a release magnet m which, in the case of selector. F, when energized, pulls pawl 8% clear of the ratchet wheel 81, so permitting return movement of that ratchet wheel and contact arm I) under the influence of a spring 85. The manner of release of arm 6 of selector G will be explained hereinafter. \Yhenratchet 120 magnet a of selector G is energized, the first portion of the resulting movement of the ratchet magnet a of either selector advance the ratchet wheel 81 a number of spaces corresponding to the numerical value of the digit of the box signal by which that ratchet magnet is being operated.

The pawl 84 of selector G (the right hand selector shown in Figs. 13 and ll) carries a pawl 8 3 which, when the ratchet wheel 81 is in normal position. is held in the position shown by a pin 81 carried by ratchet wheel 81. \Vhen wheel 81 of selector G is advanced by ratchet pawl 82, a spring SI forces pawl 8% into position for engagement with an extension of armature SIR \Vhen magnet 1a of selector G is energized, the armature St" is pulled up so that the extension of said armature engages with the hook of pawl 8i. Upon deenergization of such magnet m. and consequent retraction of armature St, the extension of such armature, being still in engagement with pawl 84:, will raise that pawl, and with it, the holding pawl SI, so permitting return of ratchet wheel 81; and at the end of such return pin 81 disengages Si from 84.

As will be noted. the pivots ()f'the contact-arms 7/ are at diagonally-opposite corners of the frame 86, the contact-point arcs of the two selectors being located between these pivots, and the magnets of the selectors being located one above another; an arrangement which promotes extreme compactness of the selector mechanism, as well as accessibility.

T2 1210 relay E.As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the slow-acting or time relay E, also sometimes termed the governor relay, performs an important part in the operation of the system, since it distinguishes between the spaces between impulses of the digits of the signal and the spaces between digits, so causing the master selector F to operate only upon the occurrence of a space between digits. or a space following the last digit of the box signals. Various types of slow-acting relays are known; for example, relays having weighted arn'iatures, and which, because of the inertia effect of such weighted armatures, will operate slowly; also relays having dashpots, or fan trains, or like retarding means, connected to their armatures; also relays having their magnet circuits con trolled by contacts operated by a thermostatic member itself operated by a heating coil. I prefer to use, for the relay E, however. a relay having a shortcircuited core that is to say. a relay the magnet core of which is surrounded by a sheath of liiglrconductivity metal. Such a relay is illustrated in Fig. 12, wherein 8T designates the core. HR the surrounding sheath of higheonductivity metal, and 89 the energizing wimlings of the relay. The contact-making and breaking devices of the particular relay illustrated in Fig. 12 are those of a relay of the so-called tele plione type, and -require no description; any other armatureoperated contact-making and breaking devices may be used instead. The eddy cur rents induced in the sheath 88 of such a relay by rise and fall of magnetization of the core. greatly retard the action of the relay, without interfering with the formation of firm contacts, and without adding moving parts to the relay. lVhen an energizing'circuit is closed through the coils of the relay and the armature thereby attracted. the armature leaves its rear stop as promptly, or nearly as promptly, as in the case of an ordinary relay, but does not reach its front contact stop until after the elapse of what is, relatively, a considerable interval of time; for example, one-quarter of a second. Similarly, the movement of the armature from its front stop to its rear stop is greatly retarded, as compared with the action of an ordinary relay.

While short circuited-core relays are not new, such a relay. employed as the relay E of the system above described, has a very special and important and novel action in connection with the signal boxes and circuits of my system; for these signal boxes, even boxes on the same circuit, operate at widely difl erent speeds, so much so that the spaces between impulses of a digit of one box may be longer than the spaces between digits of another box. The short circuited core relay E automatically COIIIPQDStItGS for this condition; for if the box which is sending in a signal be one which is rapid in operation, the magnetization of the core of relay E does not rise to a high value during the impulses of the signal, and consequently the armature of the relay drops away from the front stop quickly after each such impulse has terminated; while if the box which is sending in a signal be one which is slow in operation, the magnetization of the core of relay E rises to a much higher value during the impulses of the signal, and consequently the armature of the relay drops away from the front contact stop slowly after each such impulse has terminated. In other words, the shortcircuited-core relay automatically compensates for different speeds of different boxes, in that it operates according to substantially the same ratio, between the spaces between impulses and the spaces between digits, irrespective of the speed of the box by which it is operated.

In a companion application, filed January 27, 1917, Serial No. H4351, I have illustrated what I have termed a mechanical governor (as distinguished from the electrical governor which the shortcircuitedcore relay E constitutes) for distinguishing automatically between spaces between impulses and spaces between digits; and the twotypes of overnor are interchangeable. But the electr cal governor is obviously to be preferred in most instances.

In'some cases, particularly when the signal boxes used, or some of them, are very slow in operation, I use a plurality of shortcircuited-core relays in series as the electrical governor. This'I have indicated in Fig. 16, to be described presently.

Fire signals.-Fire signals are usually distinguished from watchmans signals by a dash, or bya Morse character containing a dash, preceding or following the box numher; also, by g ving the box number or si nal a greater number of times than fort e watchmans signal. Signal boxes which distinguish in this manner between fire signals and watchmanssignals are well known and in common use. .Such boxes commonly comprise means whereby the distinguishing signal (the dash or the Morse letter containing 'the dash) is omitted when sending watchmans signals. The break wheel 90 shown in Fig. 1*, which wheel is characteristic of break wheels forming-part of the transmitting mechanism of combined watchman and fire aIarm boxes, has teeth for transmitting not only the box number (42, in the particular instance shown) but also the Morse letter F (dot, dash, dot). It is to be understood that, for watchmans signals, the boxes B are provided with one of the well-known .means for eliminating this letter F from the box signal; but that when a fire signal is sent from any-of these boxes the said Morse letter F is included as a part of the signal. This special fire signal is made evident at the central station as follows:

i U and V, Fi 1, are slow-acting relays, preferably simi ar to the relay E already described. These 'two relays are connected in what may be termed cascade series; that is to say, the contacts of relay U control the magnet circuit of relay V. The circuit for the magnet of relay U is from supply conductor X through conductor 8 to magnet of relay U, thence through conductor 13, to the armature of relay D, thence through conductors 4 and 7 to return at Y. This circuit is closed each time the pen 91 (Fig. 1) of the box rides upon one of the teeth of the signal wheel 90, and when in consequence, contact is broken between 91 and 92, and the armature of relay D drops. The circuit for relay V is from X and 8 through the contacts of relay U and thence, when these contacts are closed, through the magnet of relay V and to the armature of relay D and thence through conductors 4 and 7 to return at Y. The retardation obtained by employing two such relays'in cascade series, and by the proper adjustment of the relays, is such that the contacts of relay V are not closed while pen 91 is passing over the short teeth of the box number of break wheel 90, but are closed during the passage of pen 91 over the dash of the Morse letter F. The contacts of relay V, so closed, complete a circuit through the magnet of a drop relay W, as follows: from supply conductor X, conductor 14, conductor 3, conductor 15, magnet of relay WV, contacts of relay V, conductor 16, magnet wt of selector F, magnet m of selector H, and back to return at Y.- This relay W has a drop armature, which, when attracted toward the magnet of the relay, separates contacts 5 and 6, thereby opening the normallyexisting shuntacross the terminals of a telegraph register 17, so placing that register in the fo lowing circuit: from supply conductor X, through conductor 1, magnet a of selector G, first contact point of selector F and arm I) of that selector, conductor 3, register loop 18, and conductor 3 again, armature of relay D, conductors 4 and 7, and back to return at Y. This results in a record being made by the register, during succeeding rounds of the box number.

'The dro armature of relay W is restored by hand or otherwise) to close contacts 5 and 6 and throw the register 17 p out of action. The mere deenergization of the magnet of the relay W does not restore the armature. I

The sending of the Morse letter F (dot, dash, dot) does not affect the selectors F, G and H, because there being in this letter F no space equivalent to a space betweendigits,

governor relay E is not operated. The relay E is operated by the impulses of the letter F, breaking the circuitof magnet a of selector F; and since'relays U and V close the circuit of release magnet m of selector F during the dash of the letter F, by a circuit. from conductor X through conductor 14 and 3, magnet of relay W, contacts of relay V, conductor 16, magnet m. of selector F, and thence to Y, arm 1) drops back of the first contact point of selector F; but when, during the long space following the letter F, the armature of relay E drops, the circuit of magnet a of selector F is completed again, and arm I) of that selector is brought back to the first contact point of that. selector. I 1

Prevention of derangement due to clashing of signals from (h'fl'erent Loaves. (See Fig. 16.) The circuits and instruments shown in Fig. 16 are in general the same as in Fig. 1. Selectors F, G and H are the same as in Fig. 1, except that to selector F have been added contacts-av and m arranged to be held apart by arm 5 of that selector when said arm is in its normal position, on the first contact point of the selector. As already stated, in-Fig. 16, two governor relays, E and E, are employed, in cascade series, in lieu of the single governor relay E of Fig. 1; but the single relay E of Fig. 1 might be exchanged for the relays E and E of Fig. 16, and vice versa.

In Fig. 1 the magnet of relay E is in a circuit separate from that which energizes magnet (z. of selector G. In Fig. 16 the magnet of relay E is in series circuit with which ever ratchet magnet a (of selectors G and H) that may happen to be in circuit through selector F at the moment. In both Figs. 1 and 16 the arn'lature of relay D controls the circuit through magnet a of either selector G or selector H until arm I) of selector F reaches its third contact point, whereupon a circuit is formed from X through conductor 14 which does not pass through the contacts of relay D.

In Fig. 1 the magnet of relay U is connected in multiple with the magnet of relay E. The magnet of relay V is in multiple with magnet of relay U, but in a circuit controlled by the contacts of relay U. The circuit of relay U is not controlled by the selectors. In Fig. 16 the magnet circuit of relay U passes through the first contact point of selector F and also through the second contact point of that selector F, but not through the third contact point of selector F. The magnet circuit of relay V is controlled by the front contacts of the relay U; also by the rear contact of relay U plus contacts r and a which are closed by selector F only when arm I) of that selector is on its second and third stops.

\Vhen arm I) of selector F-is on the first contact point of that selector, the circuit is as follows: From supply conductor X, through magnet of relay U, conductor :0 (corresponding generally'to conductor 1 of Fig. 1) magnet a of selector G, conductor 2, to first contact point of selector F through arm I) of selector F, and conductor .1' to the magnet of relay E, thence through conductor r -to the armature of relay D, and thence through the rear contact stop of relay D and conductor 7 to return at Y. There is a branch circuit :11 from conductor m through the contacts of relay 4 to the magnet of relay E and thence to conductor in. The armature of relay E is connected by conductor 11 to magnet a of selector F and thence by conductor 10 to supply conductor X, as in Fig. 1.

lVhen arm 5 of selector F is on the second contact point of that selector, the circuit is from X through magnet of relay U, through conductor 12, magnet a of selector H, and thence to the second contactpoint of selector F, and thence through arm 7) of that selector, conductor :0 magnet of relay E, conductor 0;, armature of relay D, and conductor 7 to Y.

lVhen arm 5 of selector F is on the third contact point of selector F, there are reset ting circuits as follows: from supply conductor X, through conductor 14, conductor x,magnet of relay E, conductor m arm 7) of selector F, the third contact point of that selector, and point at where the circuit divides, one branch passing through conductor 41; and magnet mof selector G, thence through arm Z) of selector G and the particular contact point of that selector on which arm I) then rests and the corresponding conductor of series 21-26 to the corresponding punching magnet of series LQ and thence to return at Y. This circuit, when completed, actuates the selected punching magnet, thereby making a record according to the signal of the box which has caused the various operations resulting in the completion of said circuit. Another branch of said circuit passes from point 00 through conductor m and release magnet m of selector F and thence through conductor x and the release magnet m of selector H back to return at Y.

The circuit just previously traced through the magnet E remains completed for a time sufiicient to permit the action of relay E, whereupon, the circuit through magnet a of selector F being broken, the arm 6 of that selector is permitted to return to normal. The return of arm 5 of selector F opens contacts m and x In normal operation, when no clash between signals occurs, the operation of the circuits of Fig. 16 is the same as those of Fig. 1; that is to say, during the receipt of the first digit of a box number, magnet a of selector G is operated to step the arm I) of selector G forward to a contact point of selector G by means of a circuit from X, through magnet of relay U, conductor :2 magnet a of selector G, conductor 2, first contact point and arm 6 of selector F, conductor m magnet of relay E and conductor a), the armature and back contact stop of relay D and conductor 7 back to return at Y. While the first digit is being received, the armature of relay E is away from its rear contact stop; but during the space between the first and second digits of box signal, the contact of relay E is closed, closing a circuit from X, through magnet a of selector F, conductor 11, contact of relay E, and conductor 7 to return at Y; whereby arm Z) of selector F is advanced to the second eontaet point of that selector. During the transmission of the second digit of the box signal, a circuit is completed from X through magnet of relay U, ratchet-operating magnet a of selector H (which, as already explained, is magnet 57 of Fig. 5) and conductor 12 to the second contact point of selector F, arm Z) of that selector, conductor m magnet of relay E, and conductor m to armature of relay D and the rear contact stop of that relay 7 and to return at Y. Thereby magnet a of selector H is operated to position the punches according to the numerical value of thesecond digit. At the conclusion of the second digit, the long space following causes the contact of relay E to be closed; the magnet a of selector F is again energized, the arm 6 of that selector is'advanced to the third contact point of that selector, and a circuit iscompleted from X through conductor 14:, conductors/: magnet of relay E, conductor m arm I) of selector F, the third contact point of that selector, point m magnet m of that selector G, the particular contact point of selector G on which its arm I) then rests, and the corresponding conductor of series 219/6 to the selected punching magnet of series LQ to return at Y; so causing the operation of the selected unching magnet. Acircuit is also comp eted from X, through the path just traced to point w, and thence through release magnet m of selector F and the release magnet m of selector G to return at Y. Thereby all of the selectors are returned to normal condition.

Should there occur a clash or other imperfect signal in which there is not a dash similar to that of the Morse letter F (dot, dash, dot), then except for the means provided in Fig. 16 the arm 6 of selector F would move from the firstto the second contact point of that selector, at the conclusion of the clash, if not before, and would thereby cause an eventual false record. I

In the event of a clash between signals,.if, during the clash, a dash signal is received (as will be the case if one of the signals,

which clash include the Morse letter F or some other signal including, or consisting of, a dash,) the fire signal relaysU and V will both be operated and will reset the apparatus to-normal, as explained presently. N0 intelligible box number may have been received, or recorded on the record sheet, but

this is immaterial, as the fire drop relay W will have iven a clash indication. Relay U is operate as will be observed, by each impulse received; but when these are dot impulses, nothing results (forpresent purposes), owing to the slow-acting character of that relay and of relay V. But when the impulse is a longer or dash impulse, the armature of relay U-remains attracted long enough to cause relay V to attract its armature, and therebyto close a resetting circuit from X through conductor 14, conductor w", magnet of relay E, magnet of fire drop relay W,conductor w, contact. points of relay V, conductor m", to point m thence through release magnet m of selector G, one of the contact points of that selector, the corresponding conductor of series 21--26, and the corresponding punching magnet of series L Q, back to return at Y; also, from point 40 through release magnets m of selectors F and H back to Y. Thereby the apparatus is reset to normal, provided, as is probable, the circuit of magnet a of selector F is broken, atthe time, at the contacts of relay E". o

In the event of a clash occurring, with no dash received, or if the contacts of relay E were not separated at the proper time for resetting, clearing is effected as follows:

There will inevitably be aspace, during the clash, resulting in the formation of the following circuit: from supply conductor X through the magnet of relay U, conductor :0 magnet a of selector G, the first contact point and arm I) of selector F, conductor m magnet of relay E, conductor in, and armature of relay '1) to conductor-7 and thence back to returnat Y. The space will result in the attraction of the armature of relay E". At the conclusion of the space, the armature of relay E willdrop back, completing the following circuit: from conductor X, through conductor 10, magnet a of selector F, the contacts of relay E, and conductor 7 to return at Y. This causes arm 6 of selector F to be stepped forward from its first to its second contact point, so. closing contacts 09 and 0: Relay U is adjusted to be slower in releasing than isrelay E.

Immediately after relay E has completed the above circuit energizing magnet a of selector F, relay releases 1ts armature, so clos ng a circuit'from conductor X through the magnetofrelay V and the armature and lower contact stop of, relay U, conductor w", contacts 01: and m of master selector F, to polnt, 00 where the circuit divides, one

branch passing through release magnet m paths reviously traced. The magnet of relay being thus energized, the magnet of relay E is correspondingly energized,

and attracts its armature, so breaking the circuit through magnet aof selector Ffand permitting the arm 5 of that selector to return to normal; the release magnet m of that selector being then energized, also the release magnets m of the other selectors, by the return circuits-from point w Thus the several selectors are returned to normal in event of a clash'in'which no dash occurs.

Contacts 0: and m, which are separated by. arm 5 of master selector F when such arm 6 is on the first contact point of that selector, are employed for the reason that, except for these contacts 00 and 00 there would be at times an undesired circuit from conductor X through magnet of relay V and through the armature and lower contact stop of relay U to point 40 and thence to release magnets m of selectors F and H, to Y, which would energize the magnet of relay V, and which would create undesirable conditions.

In Figs, 1 and 16 I have shown condensers shunt-ed across contact points of certain of the relays to induce sparking; and I have also shown various regulating resistances.

I have also shown a resistance in shunt with respect to the magnets of relay E and E". The purpose of this resistance is, mainly, to shunt out aportion of the current passing through the magnets of these relays so as toslow down the action of such magnets in attracting their armatures.

The following is the operation of the system, as shown in Fig. 1, under normal conditions:

Suppose that a Watchman operate any one of the signal boxes B; thereby the line relay D is caused to operate; and during the sending of the first digit of the number of the box operated the contact arm I) of selector G is moved to a contact point corresponding to the said first digit. During the space between the first and second digits of the box number, the relay E, being actuated,.will cause the arm I) of master selector F to move from its first to its second contact point, thereby cutting the actuating magnet a of selector G out of circuit, and placing in circuit the magnet aof selector H (being the magnet 57 of the punch shifting mechanism shown in Fig. 5). During the sending of the second digit of the box number this magnet a of selector H (magnet 57) is energized to move the punches to a position corresponding to the numerical value of this second digit of the box number.

By the operation of selector G a particular punch magnet of series LQ has been selected. By the operation of selector H a particular position of the punches has been se lected. It follows, therefore, that upon energization of the selected punch magnet, a mark will be made by the selected punch at a definite point on the record sheet carried by the drum 51. Following the sending of the second digit of the box number, relay E again operates; causing arm 6 of the master selector F to move to its third contactpoint, whereby the selected punch magnet of series LQ is energized, causing the corresponding punch to make its mark on the record sheet as above mentioned; and at the same time the release magnet m of selector G, also the release magnet m of selectors F and H (magnet m of selector H being the same as magnet 64, Fig. 5) are energized and also the circuit of magnet a of master selector F is broken. The return of the arms 6 of selectors F, and G results, also the return of the punch carriage of selectors H; and the apparatus is in condition to receive and record the number of the same or any other box of the system.

Suppose now that the watchman is delinquent in sending in the signal. As previously explained with particular reference to Figs. 2% inclusive and 9 and 10, whenever one of the punch magnets of series LQ, is operated, the arm 71 is pulled back, thereby preventing the closin of the delinquency signal circuit; but if t 1e watchman be delinquent in the sending of the signal to and beyond the end of the grace period, one of the arms L, M, etc., will contact with spring 75, forcing that spring into contact with spring 76, and so closing circuit through the delinquency signal devices 79, so giving the delinquency signal.

In the event of a fire signal being given from one of the boxes B, the operation, in

so far as the sending of the first round of the box number, will be the same as above described. Following this first round the Morse letter F will be transmitted, and the dash of this Morse letter F will cause the operation of the relays U and V, whereby the drop relay W will be operated, cutting the register 17 intocircuit, and causing that register 17, therefore, to receive and record subsequent rounds ofthe box signal. Cutting of this register 17 into-the circuit does not interfere with the subsequent rounds of the box number being recorded on the record sheet of the drum 51; to the contrary, in the recording of fire signals a double record is made.

Vhat I claim is:

1. In a recording-system, the combination with a plurality of recording mechanisms each adapted to make one or another of a plurality of distinctive records under control of corresponding signals, of a plurality of signal-transmitting devices and a common circuit therefor, each such-signal-transmitting device arranged to transmit a signal different from the signals of all the other said transmitting devices, and selecting means arranged to be operated by said signals transmitted through said circuit and arranged to determine a particular recording mechanism to be finally actuated and as a result of the complete operation of said selecting means and to determine the particular record to be made by the so-selected recording mechanism.

2. In a recording system the combination with a plurality of recording mechanisms each adapted to make one or another of a plurality of distinctive records under control of corresponding signals, of a plurality of groups of signal transmitting devices and such common digit of the signals trans-- mitted through said circuit for determining the recording mechanism to be actuated, and other selecting means operated by another digit of the signals -for determining the record to be made by the so-selected recording mechanism.

3. Ina recording system, the combination with a plurality of recordin mechanisms each comprisingyrecord-positioning means, of a plurality of groups of signal-transmitting devices and a'jcommon circuit therefor, said. signal-transmitting devices each arranged to transmit a signal difi'erent from the signal of all the other transmitting devices, and selecting means arranged to be operated by such signals transmitted through said circuit and arranged to select, according to said signals, and as a result of the complete operation of said selecting means one or another of said recording mechanisms, and to operate the so-selected retion 0 the record to be made thereby.

4. In a recording system, the combination with a plurality of recording mechanisms each comprising record-positioning means, of a plurality of groups of signal-transmit tin devices and a;common circuit therefor, said signal transmitting devices arranged to transmit numerical signals, the signal of each transmitting device being difierent from the signals of all the other transmitting devices, the signal of each such transmitting device comprising a plurality of,

digits, all the transmittin devicesof any one group having one igit in common which is different from the correspondin digit of the signals of the other groups 0 transmitting e ranged to be operated by such common digit of the signals transmitted: through signals arrangedto operate the sition-de termining meansiof theselec recording mechanism to determine the position of'flthe record to be madexby such recordin'g mech anism.

5. In a recording system. the combination ing a plurality-of digits separated by a space recording mechanism to be actuated, selectcordin ,mechani-smrto determine the posi ing means'operatedby another digit of each movdm vices, selecting means ar-y such circuit for {determining the'rewrding mechanism to be actuated, and other selects ingmeans operatedby another d git of the plurality of distinctive records under control of corresponding signals, of a plurality of signal transmitting devices and a common circuit therefor, each such s ignal-transmitting device arranged to trans: mit a signal different from the signals of all the other said transmitting devices, each such 7 signal comprising a plurality of digits separated one from another by a space longer than the spaces between impulses of each digit, selecting means arranged to be operated by one such digit of each signal for determining the particular recording mechanism to be actuated, selecting means operated by another digit 80, of each such signal for determining the panticular record to be made by the so-selectd; recording mechanism, and means operated by the space between di its of the signals for throwing the one se ectin mechanism out of operation and for throwing the other selecting mechanism into operation.

6. In a recording system, the combination with a plurality of recording mechanisms each comprising record-positioning means,

of a plurality ofgrou-ps of signal-transmitting devices and acom-mon circuit therefor, said signal transmitting devices arranged to transm t numerical signals each comprisof greater length than the spaces between impulses of each digit, selecting means ar ranged to be operated by one digit of each such signal for determiningthe particular suchsignal for determining the particular record to be made by the so-selected record ing mechanism, and means operated'by the space between digits of the signals for throwin the one selecting mechanism out of-oper ation and for throwing the other selecting \mechanism into operation."

7. In a recorder, the combination of a plurality of recording devices, a record carrier upon whichsuch recording devicesgmay make records, means for producing relative ent between said recording devices and recordcarrier, and selecting means,

, adaptedfor control by fline" signals and adapted to selecta particular-recording device and to produce relative motion between that trecordingdevi'ce"and the record carrier ;tobr1ng therecordihg deviceopposite a signal-determined position on the record car- .l'cler.

In a the'cornbination of a plurality of recording devices, a record. carrier upon whichsuchrecording devices may :make records, means for producing relative movement between said recording devices and record carrier,xand selecting means arranged to select a particular recording device under'thei influence of line signals, and o her selecting means arranged, under con- 30 

